3D Graphics and Simulation

3D graphics and simulation are entirely responsible for drawing me into the world of computers and technology. What I like best about computer graphics and simulation is that it brings together creative "right-brain" thinking and intellectual "left-brain" thinking in one activity. I prefer to think that if Sir Isaac Newton, Galileo, or Leonardo da Vinci were alive today, they might be computer graphics and simulation artists and inventors.

Skills

I started out doing 3D graphics in high school during the 1980s using an Apple IIe when a single wireframe image would take overnight to render and a simple animation would take a week. Since that humble beginning, I've explored a myriad of aspects of computer graphics and simulation including the following:

  • photorealistic rendering, parallel rendering, progressive rendering
  • real-time rendering (OpenGL), hybrid rendering, multipass rendering
  • ray tracing, progressive ray tracing, shading languages, lighting models
  • scene graph architecture, procedural modeling, cuve and surface modeling, mesh modeling, volumetric rendering
  • 3D scripting languages, 3D interaction, direct manipulation, web based simulation, physics engines, collision detection
  • basic 3D modeling and texturing using 3ds Max

3D computer graphics and simulation is something that one can easily spend a lifetime studying and exploring!

Portfolio

I have spent virtually all of my entire adult life (20+ years) developing software and content for 3D graphics and simulations and have developed dozens of 3D simulations from simple to complex for all sorts of applications. Below are some examples.

Training Simulations

Examples:
Biomass Production System
MERLIN
V22 Osprey CBT
CAT Backhoe Procedure
Interactive Circuit Board
HP Printer Instructions

Any time you have complex physical equipment, processes, or procedures that needs to be explained, 3D simulation is a potential solution.

I've built training simulations for such tasks as:

  • training NASA crew members on how to use spaceflight hardware including scientific payloads, robotic arms, and exercise treadmills
  • training Navy helicopter pilots to better cope with inclement weather conditions
  • training people how to install and maintain electronic equipment for companies like Cisco Systems.

Whether you need to train astronauts or network engineers, 3D simulation can help to explain complex spatial relationships quickly and intuitively.

 

Educational Simulations and Games

Examples:
Gravity Well
Trajectories
Prisms
Angular Momentum
Ellipse Properties
Barcode Scanner

3D simulation is great for educational simulation because it allows the creation of extremely engaging, interactive content. Using a simulation, a student can experiment with and experience rather than just view a concept.

Over the years, I have created dozens of educational simulations, mostly focused upon science education. I have built simulations to teach concepts in many disciplines including:

  • physics
  • chemistry
  • astronomy
  • mathematics
  • genetics
  • archeology

I started building simulation tools while I was an undergraduate student to make it easier for me to understand my physics and math classes. Unfortunately, simulation has yet to make a significant impact upon mainstream education. Hopefully, that that will change within my lifetime.

Scientific Visualizations

Examples:
Extrasolar Planets
Multivariate Analysis
Galactic Redshift
Magnetic Field
Asteroid Impact
Satellite Tracking

3D simulation is an ideal way to intuitively and effectively communicate scientific information. Since scientific data is often three dimensional or multidimensional in nature, it can most effectively be analysed and understood using 3D visualization techniques.

I have built software for visualizing multidimensional data using a variety of different graphing and visualization techniques including:

  • 3D isosurface and volume rendering
  • 2D isobar generation and rendering
  • vector field line rendering
  • 3D bar chart and grid rendering
  • 3D point cloud / sprite rendering

 

Medical Simulations

Examples:
Intubation
Arm Muscles
MRI Data

3D visualization is useful for illustrating the anatomy and physiology of the human body and also for medical procedures, medical equipment, and processes.

While I am not a 3D medical illustrator myself, I have worked with 3D medical illustrators to create interactive and animated simulations of the human body and I have also created medical visualizations using medical imaging data such as MRI data. I have even created 3D simulations that take you on a first person voyage into the human body as in the classic film "Fantastic Voyage".

Architectural Visualizations

Examples:
Walkthrough Visualization
Interactive Configurator
Urban Planning
Marketing and Communicatins
Security Systems

3D simulation and visualization is an ideal way to intuitively and effectively communicate architectural design information and architects have been primary users of each of the software packages that I've developed. My first computer related job while I was still in college was at a CAD company called "Point Line CAD" where I wrote a ray tracing visualization system. During my work with Hypercosm, we partnered with Google and with Autodesk to create software that was used by hundreds of architects. I've built architectural simulations for a variety of applications including:

  • walkthrough visualizations
  • interactive animated construction sequences
  • interactive configurator applications
  • urban planning
  • marketing and communications
  • security systems
  • warehouse information systems
  • geovisualization